Hyphenation ofunaccountability
Syllable Division:
un-ac-count-a-bil-i-ty
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/ʌnəˈkaʊntəˈbɪləti/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
0010110
Primary stress falls on the third syllable (/kaʊnt/). Secondary stress falls on the fifth syllable (/bil/). The remaining syllables are unstressed.
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Open syllable, weak vowel.
Open syllable.
Closed syllable, diphthong.
Open, schwa syllable.
Closed syllable.
Open syllable, high vowel.
Closed syllable.
Morphemes are the smallest meaningful parts of words: prefixes (beginning), roots (core meaning), and suffixes (ending)
Prefix: un-
Old English, negation
Root: account
Old French *aconter* from Latin *computare* - to reckon, calculate
Suffix: -ability
Latin *-abilitas* - capacity, state of being; composed of *-able* + *-ity*
The state of being unable to give an account or explanation; irresponsibility.
Examples:
"His lack of preparation was a clear sign of unaccountability."
"The company faced criticism for its culture of unaccountability."
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
Similar structure with a long suffix and stress pattern.
Shares the root 'account' but is shorter.
Similar suffix '-ability' but different root.
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
Maximize Onsets
Consonants are assigned to the following syllable whenever possible.
Vowel-Consonant-Consonant (VCC) Pattern
Syllables are divided after the first consonant in VCC patterns.
Avoid Stranded Consonants
No syllable should begin with a vowel and have no preceding consonant.
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
The word's length and complex morphology require careful application of syllable division rules.
The schwa vowel in the fourth syllable is common in unstressed positions.
Summary:
The word 'unaccountability' is divided into seven syllables: un-ac-count-a-bil-i-ty. It consists of the prefix 'un-', the root 'account', and the suffix '-ability'. Primary stress falls on the third syllable. Syllable division follows rules maximizing onsets and avoiding stranded consonants.
Detailed Analysis:
Linguistic Analysis of "unaccountability"
1. Pronunciation Examination:
The word "unaccountability" is pronounced /ʌnəˈkaʊntəˈbɪləti/ in General American English. It presents challenges due to its length, multiple vowels, and consonant clusters.
2. Syllable Division:
The syllable division, adhering to the rule of maximizing onsets (consonants belonging to the following syllable) and avoiding stranded consonants, is as follows: un-ac-count-a-bil-i-ty.
3. Morphemic Analysis:
- Prefix: un- (Old English) - Negation.
- Root: account (Old French aconter from Latin computare - to reckon, calculate) - To consider, explain, or take responsibility.
- Suffix: -ability (Latin -abilitas) - Capacity, state of being. This suffix is composed of -able (capable of being) + -ity (nominalizing suffix).
4. Stress Identification:
The primary stress falls on the third syllable: /ʌnəˈkaʊntəˈbɪləti/. A secondary stress appears on the fifth syllable.
5. Phonetic Transcription:
/ʌnəˈkaʊntəˈbɪləti/
6. Edge Case Review:
The sequence "-count-" can sometimes be pronounced with a reduced vowel, but the standard pronunciation maintains a distinct vowel sound. The "ty" ending is a common syllable in English and doesn't present a unique challenge.
7. Grammatical Role:
"Unaccountability" functions solely as a noun. There are no shifts in syllabification or stress based on grammatical function.
8. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: The state of being unable to give an account or explanation; irresponsibility.
- Grammatical Category: Noun
- Synonyms: Irresponsibility, dereliction, negligence, answerability.
- Antonyms: Responsibility, accountability.
- Examples: "His lack of preparation was a clear sign of unaccountability." "The company faced criticism for its culture of unaccountability."
9. Phonological Comparison:
- Responsibility: re-spon-si-bil-i-ty. Similar structure with a long suffix. Stress pattern is also similar (third syllable).
- Accountant: ac-coun-tant. Shares the root "account" but is shorter. Stress on the second syllable.
- Probability: pro-ba-bil-i-ty. Similar suffix "-ability" but different root. Stress on the second syllable.
The differences in stress placement are due to the weight of the prefixes and the overall length of the words. "Unaccountability" has a longer prefix and more syllables, shifting the stress pattern.
Detailed Syllable Analysis:
| Syllable | IPA Transcription | Description | Rule Applied | Exceptions/Special Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| un | /ʌn/ | Open syllable, weak vowel | Vowel followed by consonant | None |
| ac | /æk/ | Open syllable | Vowel followed by consonant | None |
| count | /kaʊnt/ | Closed syllable, diphthong | Consonant cluster followed by vowel | None |
| a | /ə/ | Open, schwa syllable | Vowel | None |
| bil | /bɪl/ | Closed syllable | Consonant cluster followed by vowel | None |
| i | /i/ | Open syllable, high vowel | Vowel | None |
| ty | /ti/ | Closed syllable | Consonant followed by vowel | None |
Division Rules Applied:
- Maximize Onsets: Consonants are assigned to the following syllable whenever possible.
- Vowel-Consonant-Consonant (VCC) Pattern: Syllables are divided after the first consonant in VCC patterns.
- Avoid Stranded Consonants: No syllable should begin with a vowel and have no preceding consonant.
Special Considerations:
The word's length and complex morphology require careful application of syllable division rules. The schwa vowel in the fourth syllable is common in unstressed positions.
Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:
Some regional variations might exhibit slight vowel differences, but the core syllable division remains consistent.
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